The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-14
An Apology for Legally.


was a soldier. if you please,
A loyal man unto the last;
But must. shame now upon me seize.
Hush all reference to the past.
A Yankee | n Yankee! Yes,
That name in stigma given we bear:
Because We love our section less
Than common country and her care.
You scowl at me- and say it's wrong
The blue to honor more than gray;
Those colors stand for causes long
Divided as the night from day.
Ny father gave me to a State
Whose altar was her countrys too.
My brother sought no home till late,
That. dying mine want should know.
Thus given to my native land
The Providence which rules the earth,
Which led our armies by His hand
Protected me. my home and hearth.
Undaunted by the rebel yell.
L charged into the jaws of death.
was near when heroes fell.
My cheeks have felt their latest breath.
My skirts despatched with their blood,
Their dead forms lying cross my path;
Without a comrade have stood
And calmly faced expected death.
A scar upon my forehead borne,
Atheists the perils of that war.
The bulletholes in garments worn
Are pledges of an honor far
More true and glorious than life
OF mute. ignoble selfish ease:
When duty calls and dangers rife
Stalk DER the land and kill our peace.
Twas not in vain. With grateful heart
| saw the triumph of the right,
The flag that would asunder part
Was torn to shreds by Northern might.
It victory of God
In this our Israel gainst His foes.
The slave could neverrnore be trod
Beneath the feet of countless woes.
Against no foreman did he fight:
Nor do we hate the men who fought
So bravely, whether wrong or right
But God has judged the work they wrought.
It did not stand the fires of war;
It never could the light of truth.
Twas cursed and for ever moro
Too aged to renew its youth.
Nor were the victors sacrifices small,
The losses wholly on one side;
We did not leave our homes and all
We counted dear for pomp or pride.
My father with his weight of years
Too old to muster in the fray,
Babe me go forth and thTo' his tears
Saw duty only, clear as day.
Ny mother full as generous born
Gave not so well the only
Who dwelt at home. And thus forlorn
q
Ny wife SO worn and wan with cares
Too heavy for her slender breath,
An anxious burden ever bears,
Suspense and sickness worse than Death
My children. grown to years since then,
left at that sweet solemn time,
When gentle ministries could bend
Them to a stalwart manhood's prime.
My home was like broken nest.
To Southern skies the blue birds fly,
On careless wing, and find their rest
In leaving home; but not could /.
My home loved. my country more;
Twas this that moved my arm to fight
had country when the was DER;
Twas none without great freedom light
The day has come and come to stay;
Yet will the victory not be won,
Till all men everywhere can say
Their thought with ballot as with tongue.
Old Dixon's line must be wiped ont,
The solid South made all anew,
Till modern rebels face about
And march with loyal hearts and true.
I do despise the copperhead
Who barked at loyal soldiers heels
Who never patriot impulse led
Who blocked the Nation chariot wheels;
Who stayed at home and watched afar
To hear the last confederate news
Who cheered the Southrons rising STAR
Der Union victories had the blues"
I honor those whom destiny
Drove to support failing cause;
More honored vet in harmony.
Who work with all who love our laws.
To say our side alone'was right,
Is but TO take manly stand.
'Twere manlier to confess outright
Your past sins; then extend your hand.
When years ago left the field
Where many brother fell in gore.
/ made VOW that would shield
A rebel from his sins more. -
Before my lips should close in death,
Those lips should freely speak
The truth of freedom. Whose hath
That truth is strong, all others weak.